The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-31
FORGER BIDWELL.

A Sketch of the Great Crime for Which He
was Sent Prison.
New York Herald.
George Bidwell, the forger. who according to
a cablegram, has just been released from prison
In England on account of i'll health, and who in
tends coming to this country, is one of the Bid
we'll brothers who were associated with George
Engles, Macdonald and Williamson in the stu
pendous Bank of England forgeries sixteen
years ago. The gang in 1871 left this city and
went to England They began operations in
Liverpool, where in a short time they Melted
100000. They then went to London and there
opened a commission house for the discounting
and shaving of commercial paper. The spuri-
GUS firm was organized by Macdonald under
the name of warner & Co." The forgers
opened an account with one os the leadi ng
banks, and bona fde transactions were conduct
ed for several months When the con fdence of
the officers of the bank had been gained, the
paper of Warner s. Co.. presented by of
the leading merchants of London was discount
ed without suspicion.
Before the consummaton of the gigantic
scheme George Macdonald aud one of the Bid
wells became infatuated with two womon with
whom they lived. Upon discovering this fact
Eneles became afraid that his associates would
iivulge the scheme to their mistresses. Mac
Donald and Bidwel were then residing in st.
Johns Wood, Kensington, London. Enges
objected to the women and threatened To cut off
business relations unless his companions gave
them up. His companions laughed at him. and
after quarter of million pounds sterling had
been realized Macdonald and Bidwell admitted
that their women knew all about the scheme.
Engles thereupon vanished, and when Mac
Donald and Bidwen undertook 10 continue the
business the plot leaked out, and the sequel
showed that if it had not been for the women, in
whom they had so much confidence. they would
have escaped.
In their recklessness Macdonald and Bidwell
presented forged note which had been
dated. The clerk discovered the and for
warded it to the firm by whom 1t was supposed
to have been issued. 1t was then pronounced a
forgery. To avoid arrest the gang scattered
One of the Bidwells escaped to Scotland, where
he was arrested. and his brother appre-
hended in Havana, Cuba. Macdonald tried to
get clear of his mistress. but failed. He in
duced her, however, to accept n passage ticket
from Liverpool to New York, telling her that he
would meet her at the Northern Hotel before
the steamer sailed. He did not attempt to
meet her, but took train to Folkestone.
ed to France, and at Havre engaged passage for
this city.
Becoming enraged at the disappointment and
suspecting the route her lover would most likely
English police. cablegram was flashed to
This city and Macdonald was arrested on board
The incoming vessel in the lower bay After
lighting the case in the courts the fugitive was
finally returned to England. where he was con-
victec and sentenced to life imprisonment The
Bidwell brothers received like sentences.
Inspector Byrnes has been informed of George
Bidwelrs release. and the central Office de-
bectives have been instructed to look out for him
( he returns to his old pals and hauuts.